by Jimi Hendrix

Erica Hebl, Myrrh-Anna Kienitz, Conor Leigh,
Eva Mueller, Tien Nguyen
Group 3
Why did we choose Jimi
Hendrix?
Jimi Hendrix has influenced a legacy of blues-based
psychedelic rockers and has contributed to the popularization
of the flamboyant electric guitar style that we still hear today.
His experimentation with improvisation has lead him to
becoming one of the most influential guitarists in rock history.
Biography: The basics
●  Born on November 27, 1942 (the day
after thanksgiving)
●  Original name was Johnny Allen
Hendrix. It was later changed to James
Marshall Hendrix
●  Originally from Seattle, Washington
○  At the time, only about 1% of
Seattle’s population was black
●  Had ancestors who were slaves, slave
owners, and Cherokee
(Cross, 2005)
Early life
●  Developed an interest in music at a young age.
●  Completely self-taught
○  Unable to read music, which forced him to learn by ear
●  In 1958, his father bought him his first guitar - a five dollar
acoustic from one of his friends.
○  Afterwards, he joined his first band, “The Velvetones,”
which only lasted for a few months.
●  In 1961, Jimi joined the Army
○  Was later discharged, and began to pursue music once
again
(Experience Hendrix, 2013)
The start of Jimi Hendrix’s musical career
●  After being discharged from the Army, Hendrix worked as a
pickup guitarist.
●  Chas Chandler (former bassist of The Animals) was
impressed and became Hendrix’s manager in 1966.
●  Chandler flew Hendrix to London to join a new band, which
was to be named “The Jimi Hendrix Experience.”
○  The band quickly gained popularity in London
■  First single: “Hey Joe”
■  First album: Are You Experienced
(Experience Hendrix, 2013)
Mid-career fame
●  First appearance in U.S. was his performance at the
Monterey Pop Festival in 1967
○  Hendrix burned his guitar as the climax of the show
●  He quickly rose to fame between 1967 and 1968
○  Released the albums Axis: Bold as Love and Electric
Ladyland
○  Toured in America twice during this time
●  Tensions among band members and managers rose and
eventually The Jimi Hendrix Experience was disbanded.
(Kemp, 2014)
Late-career
●  In 1969, Hendrix performed at the Woodstock
Festival
●  Hendrix was under pressure by black power
groups to form an all black group.
○  Later in 1969 he formed an all-black band
called “Band of Gypsys”
■  Produced only one album, titled Band of
Gypsys
●  He later performed with previous band members
to produce his last album, The Cry of Love, and
held his last performance at the Isle of Wight
Festival.
(Kemp, 2014)
Death
●  Died of a drug overdose in 1970 (at the age of 27) in
London
○  Asphyxiated after overdosing on barbiturates
○  Metaphorically died of an “overdose of rock ‘n’ roll”
(Murray, 1989)
Musical Style
●  Jimi Hendrix’s musical style was
deeply rooted in Rhythm & Blues
and Jazz.
●  He was innovative with sound
and was always looking for new
ways to improvise and improve
his music.
●  He performed from 1966 to his
final concert which was held on
September 6, 1970.
(The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 2014)
Compared to the Music of the Period
The Beatles
o 
They were a huge worldwide phenomenon
during this time period.
o 
They represented the less rebellious side of
rock ‘n’ roll.
o 
Songs were both upbeat and psychedelic, along
with a few slow rock ballads about love.
Jimi Hendrix
(Herb, 2001)
o 
He received his inspiration of adding
psychedelic sounds to his music from the
Beatles.
o 
His songs always seemed to push the rock ‘n’
roll envelope with his extensive stage shows
and his impressive electric guitar skills.
(Light, 2007)
Compared to the Music of the Period
●  Simon and Garfunkel
o  They created music which fit into
the soft rock/ folk rock genre.
o  Their music focused of slower
rhythms and simple melody lines.
●  Jimi Hendrix
o  Jimi Hendrix’s songs focused on
bringing together both “white
hippies and black revolutionaries.”
o  His music was anything but simple;
it contained complex rhythm
schemes and unique texture.
(Murray, 2013)
His Impact on Rock and Roll
● 
Jimi Hendrix revolutionized the way musicians played music in the late 1960 and beyond.
o  He created many innovative ways to play his electric guitar.
§  He learned to play behind his back and with his teeth.
§  He learned many complicated melody lines, including impromptu instrumentals.
o  He also defined the theatrical way concerts would be performed.
§  His elaborate stage shows were the hottest ticket in town, even upstaging and
outselling The Who.
§  His talented and lengthy solos kept the audiences coming back for more.
(Murray, 2013)
*Must be in presentation mode to view
Video: Jimi Hendrix playing with his teeth
His Innovations
●  Jimi Hendrix’s innovative style pushed the
rock movement forward.
o 
o 
(Reyes, 2004)
He inspired other artists to learn to play
complicated electric guitar lines.
He created a new type of experimental music
which sparked the beginning of rock ‘n’ roll music.
§  The use of amps and sound boards to create
a new electric reverb and musical effects
Song analysis: “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix
If you are familiar with Jimi
Hendrix, you have heard
“Purple Haze” or “Hey Joe.”
We chose “Hey Joe” because
it is a great example of Jimi
Hendrix’s sound and musical
style of Blues Rock on a cover
of a hard rock song. With the
addition of phrases and
vocals derived from R&B
influences, Hendrix’s cover
has become the most popular
version of “Hey Joe.”
(Hicks, 2000)
“Hey Joe” Musical Analysis: Instrumentation
Jimi Hendrix plays the electric guitar, and sings lead vocals.
He is accompanied by:
●  An electric bass guitar, playing a similar rhythm to Hendrix’s
guitar
●  Drums, including kick drum and high hat,
●  And backup vocalists, singing “ohh”s and “ahh”s
The conjunct melody of the song moves smoothly to the next beat
and has a small range in its pitch.
“Hey Joe” Musical Analysis: Meter and Beat
Subdivision
The Meter changes between Duple and
Quadruple
Beat Subdivision is Duple.
Chord progression of VI III VII IV I
In the key of D : C G D A E
“Hey Joe” Musical Analysis: Texture
1.  Intro, 0:00-0:06 monophonic electric guitar intro
2.  Verse 1 and 2, 0:07- 1:40 Homophonic, Melody and Accompaniment. Jimi
Hendrix sings the vocal melody, accompanied by his guitar, bass, drums,
and backup vocals.
1.  Instrumental break, 1:41-2:14 Homophonic, Melody and Accompaniment.
Guitar solo melody, with accompanying drums, bass, and backup vocals.
2.  Verse 3, 2:15-3:25 Homophonic, Melody and Accompaniment. Jimi
Hendrix sings the vocal melody, accompanied by his guitar, bass, drums,
and backup vocals.
“Hey Joe” Musical Analysis: Form
●  Strophic form
o 
repeating verse structure
●  Dominant macrostructure of AABAB
o 
A=Verse, B=Instrumental.
●  Dominant Microstructure is aabb
o 
Verse 1 and 2 are aabb, and verse 3 is aabc
Musical Influences
●  During his teen years, he listened to a lot of blues
artists
o  These included Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, and
Lightnin’ Hopkins
●  Big fan of Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Chuck
Berry
●  Taught himself how to play by imitating such artists
on records or the radio
o  The first song he taught himself all the way through was “Tall Cool
One” by The Wailers
(Unterberger, 2009) (Experience
Hendrix)
Influences Continued
●  Curtis Mayfield’s influence is audible in his
guitar playing
●  His songwriting resembles Bob Dylan’s
o 
He used to repeatedly play his records
(Unterberger, 2009)
Jimi Hendrix’s Influence
●  Influenced Ernie Isley of the Isley Brothers
●  Many hip hop artists have cited his influence
o  These include Beastie Boys, Run-D.M.C., Digital Underground,
and A Tribe Called Quest
(Unterberger, 2009) (Owen and Reynolds, 1991)
Fame and contribution
Although Jimi’s career span was only 4 years, he achieved great things and
created a legacy
●  1967
o  Pop musician of the Year by Melody Maker
●  1968
o  Artist of the Year by Billboard
o  Performer of the Year by Rolling Stone
●  1969
o  World Top Musician by Disc and Music Echo
●  1992
o  Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
●  2005
o  UK Music Hall of Fame
●  3 albums, Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love, and Electric
Ladyland ranked in the 100 greatest albums of all time. ( by Rolling
Stone)
●  Named the greatest guitarist and one of sixth greatest artist of all
time. (by Rolling Stone)
(Experience Hendrix, 2013)
May 12 1967
Jan 15 1968
*click on the picture of each album to listen to them*
Sep 16 1968
Other music of the period - Sister Rosetta Tharpe
➢  African American singer, songwriter, and guitar
virtuoso.
➢  Main genre: Gospel with mixture of jazz and rhythms
and blues
➢  She is the first ever gospel crossover artist and was
referred as “The Original Soul Sister”
➢  Also called the Godmother of Rock n’ Roll
➢  Even until today, there is no other American women
can compare the Tharpe smooth flow of sound.
➢  Invented the guitar playing technique that later evolve
to rock and roll style adopted by Chuck Berry, Elvis
Presley, and Eric Clapton
➢  Toured until her death in 1973
(Sister Rosetta Tharpe, 2014)
Other music of the period - Led Zeppelin
➢  Formed in 1968 by former member of Yardbirds, Jimmy Page, went
on to form a group called New Yardbirds. Later changed to Led
Zeppelin, named after their first and wildly successful album.
➢  The band consists of Robert Plant, John P Jones, and John
Bonham. Like Yardbird band in the past, Led Zeppelin used a guitar
style that drew heavily on the blues. Their music style is very much
alike with Jimi Hendrix with a bit of distortion, feedback,
reverberation, and out-and-out noise in their songs and
performances.
➢  While active from 1968 to 1982 , the band released 9 albums and
were considered the most one of the most successful, innovative
and influential rock groups in history.
(Led Zeppelin Biography, 2001)
➢  Inducted as Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1995
Political & Social Event
(Goodwin, 2011)
●  In 1966, Equality of Educational Opportunity was published, forced
integration and busing in 1970s.
●  The Civil Rights movement in 1960s
o  Assassination Martin Luther King and Malcolm X shook the nation
and inspirer many artists.
●  1963 - President John F Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Texas
●  US troops sent to Vietnam
o  many protest and rebellion throughout.
o  Artists especially folk
In Conclusion
Jimi Hendrix applied his appreciation of
Jazz, and R&B into his style of Blues Rock
and Rock ‘n’ Roll. His early lyrical style was
influenced by Bob Dylan a noted Folk artist,
but unlike Folk Music, Hendrix’s melodies
were complicated using diverse cord
combinations.
(Rolling Stone, 2014) (PBS, 2013)
He opened the door for electric guitarists to
explore unique sounds and melodies using
controlled distortion. Jimi did not view the electric
guitar as another musical instrument, but as a
source for electronic sound. He was not only a
gifted musician but a skilled songwriter, and no
other musician at the time could match his
outrageous gift.
(Rolling Stone, 2014) (PBS, 2013)
Jimi Hendrix had a short lived music career
but is one of the most well known guitarists in
rock history. His use of experimental guitar forms
and improvisation transformed him into a legend.
His ability to learn solely by ear and his unique
style of playing have become iconic for his time
period.
(Rolling Stone, 2014) (PBS, 2013)
Photograph/Video URLs
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http://choffman36.deviantart.com/art/Jimi-Hendrix-vector-collage-338617867
treble clef symbol: http://laisla.webstarts.com/meet_la_isla.html
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-20111123/jimi-hendrix-20120705
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2239775/Jimi-Hendrixs-favourite-guitar-switched-setting-cheaper-version-sells-250-000.html
http://www.guitarworld.com/album-stream-jimi-hendrix-experience-live-berkeley
http://skoodmusic.com/2013/01/13/jimi-hendrix-around/
http://www.genesis-publications.com/hendrix/
Left: http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/jimi-hendrix-183.php
Middle: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/london/7992020/Jimi-Hendrixs-London.html
Right: http://the100.ru/en/lovers/jimmy-hendrix.html
http://rebloggy.c om/post/jimi-hendrix-the-jimi-hendrix-experience-noel-redding-mitch-mitchell/65406892724
Left: http://www.thebeatles.com/news/beatles-are-itunes-radioRight: http://The_Jimi_Hendrix_Experience#mediaviewer/File:Jimi_hendryx_experience_1968.JPG
Top: http://proseworks.blogspot.com/2012/12/paul-simon-is-not-really-rock.html
Bottom: http://www.jacarandafm.com/post/jimi-hendrix-tribute/
Left: http://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/aug/08/jimi-hendrix-40th-anniversary-death
Right: http://www.groovydad.co.uk/?paged=2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExSNjdGtTBc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpkDdLZGg30
Photograph/Video URLs Cont.
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Slide 22:
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Middle: http://www.jonolivermusic.com/category/music-appreciation/vinyl-recordings/page/2/
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Right: http://emilydarlinginla.blogspot.com/2011/11/bob-dylan-album-covers.html
Slide 23:
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Left: http://chicksinthehuddle.com/2013/02/06/espn-turns-athletes-into-music-superstars/
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Right: http://www.ladazehollywoodnights.com/legends-pioneers-and-trail-blazers/album-beastie-boys-check-your-head/
Slide 24: http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/56/b6/56b635cbb8aff8d3f8fa2eb81d6b0f27.jpg?itok=ereEzsn8
Slide 25:
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album picture
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1 and 2 http://callmeredtelephone.blogspot.com/2011/01/psychedelic-album-cover-art.html,
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3 http://quoteko.com/jimi-hendrix-electric-ladyland-peru-vinyl-album-record.html
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video link:
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Are you experienced? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK8N6DjJccc
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Bold As Love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQY26kcbDDc
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Electric LadyLand http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbS6M5rcemo
Slide 26: http://rockhall.com/media/assets/images/originals/2c9/595/6a626c.jpg
Slide 27: http://www.chachaandspoons.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/zep.jpg
Slide 28 (from left to right) http://jewishcurrents.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/anti-war_vietnam_war_protest_rally.jpg
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http://firstconvention.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/9043907-standard.jpg
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http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/140/cache/05-martin-king-010909_14089_600x450.jpg
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http://cdn.ph.upi.com/sv/b/upi/UPI-41021384680600/2013/1/835a5d06b0ec684a3c26cca76a51143e/The-Issue-The-Kennedy-assassination-did-themob-do-it.jpg
References
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Cross, Charles R. (2005). A Room Full of Mirrors: A Biography of Jimi Hendrix. New York, NY:
Hyperion.
Experience Hendrix. (2013). Jimi Hendrix Biography. The Official Jimi Hendrix Website.
Retrieved June 26, 2014, from http://www.jimihendrix.com/us/jimi
Goodwin, S. (2011, January 1). American Cultural History. - 1960. Retrieved July 2, 2014, from
http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade60.html
Herb, B. (2001, January 1). Jimi Hendrix. Home. Retrieved July 1, 2014, from
http://www.reasontorock.com/artists/jimi_hendrix.html
Hicks, M. (2000). Sixties Rock: Garage, Psychedelic, and Other Satisfactions (p. 51). University
of Illinois Press.
Jimi Hendrix Biography. (2013). PBS. Retrieved June 30th, 2014, from
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/jimi-hendrix/jimi-hendrix-biography/2743/
Kemp, Mark. (2014). Jimi Hendrix Biography. Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 26, 2014 from
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/jimi-hendrix/biography
Led Zeppelin Biography | Rolling Stone. (2001, January 1). Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 29,
2014, from http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/led-zeppelin/biography
Light, A. (2007). LONDON. Rolling Stone, (1030/1031), 64-137.Periodical.
References Cont.
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Murray, Charles Shaar. (1989). Crosstown Traffic: Jimi Hendrix & the Post-War Rock ‘N’ Roll
Revolution. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press.
Murray, C. (2013, December 17). Jimi Hendrix (American musician). Encyclopedia Britannica
Online. Retrieved July 1, 2014, from
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/261208/Jimi-Hendrix
Reyes, D. (2004, February 19). 'Jimi Hendrix: The Lyrics'. New York Amsterdam News. (p. 33).
Sister Rosetta Tharpe. (2014). The Biography.com website. Retrieved 09:31, Jun 28, 2014, from
http://www.biography.com/people/sister-rosetta-tharpe-17172332.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum. (2014, January 1). Jimi Hendrix. Retrieved July 1,
2014, from https://rockhall.com/exhibits/featured-collections/jimi-hendrix/
Wald, G. F. Shout, Sister, Shout!: The Untold Story of Rock-and-Roll Trailblazer Sister Rosetta
Tharpe. Journal Article.
Owen, Frank, and Simon Reynolds. "Why Hendrix Still Matters." SPIN Apr. 1991: 28+. Web.
Unterberger, Richie. (2009). The Rough Guide to Jimi Hendrix. London: Rough Guides.